INFORMED COMPLIANCE
6. Definition
Informed compliance is a shared responsibility between CBP and the import community wherein CBP effectively communicates its requirements to the trade, and the people and businesses subject to those requirements conduct their regulated activities in accordance with U.S. laws and regulations. A key component of informed compliance is that the importer is expected to exercise reasonable care in his or her importing operations.
Informed compliance benefits both parties: When voluntary compliance is achieved, CBP resources need not be expended on redundant examinations or entry reviews for the importer’s cargo found to be dependably compliant. From the trade perspective, when voluntary compliance is attained, compliant importers are less likely to have their shipments examined or their entries reviewed.
CBP publishes a wealth of information to assist the import community in complying with CBP requirements. We issue rulings and informed compliance publications on a variety of technical subjects and processes. Most of these materials can be found on-line at www.cbp.gov.
We urge importers to make sure they are using the latest versions of any printed materials.